Harris County Archives Houston, Texas
Finding Aid
HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY RECORDS BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES CR044 (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 - 1991)
Size: 3 cubic feet Acquisition: County Attorney Office Restrictions on Access: None Accession Number: 2010.019 Restrictions on Use: None Processed by: Tom McKinney, 2010
Citation: [Identification of Item], Brio Superfund Site Case Files, Harris County Attorney Records, Harris County Archives, Houston, Texas.
Agency History:
The Brio Superfund site is a former industrial plant located 20 miles southeast of Houston, near Friendswood, Texas. The Brio site also includes the Dixie Oil Processors Superfund site. It occupies 26.6 acres. Beginning in 1969, several companies used the location for a variety of industrial purposes, including copper recovery, oil reprocessing, hydrocarbon cracking, and petroleum distilling. The area was contaminated by the wastes generated by these operations which were stored in earthen and concrete berms. Industrial activity on the property ceased in 1986.
The acreage formerly occupied by Brio Refining, Inc was designated as a Superfund site in 1984, and the adjacent Dixie Oil Processing was designated as a federal Superfund site in 1985. Site remediation was originally to be done through an on-site incinerator, but after a considerable portion of the incinerator apparatus was built, the plan was scrapped in part due to community opposition. This opposition was spearheaded by The South Belt-Ellington Leader, a community newspaper, and its editor Marie Flickinger. The site’s remediation was completed in 2004, and it was removed from the National Priorities List in 2006.
The Harris County Attorney’s Office was never a party to the litigation, but instead acted as an Amicus Curiae, or “friend of the court.” The county was also concerned about the site due to a joint project between Harris County Flood Control District and the Department of the Army and the potential for environmental damage to Sims Bayou.
Page 1 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
The official documents pertaining to the Brio site are housed at the San Jacinto College, South Campus Library, 13735 Beamer Rd, Houston, Texas 77089. Bibliography:
Environmental Protection Agency, “Superfund Site Progress Profile: Brio Refining, Inc.” http://cfpub.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0602601 (accessed November 3, 2010).
Environmental Protection Agency, “EPA Superfund: Record of Decision Brio Refining, Inc.” http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/rods/fulltext/r0688031.pdf (accessed November 3, 2010).
Scope and Contents Note:
Correspondence, notes, an agenda, legal documents, reports, speeches, printed materials, photographs, and a VHS cassette tape 1971 to 1994 document the interest of the Harris County Attorney’s Office in the Brio Superfund site and the related litigation. Correspondence include both original correspondence and copies of correspondence pertaining to the Brio Superfund site. Communications concerning road widening and flood control projects on Sims Bayou reveal the concern about what would happen if hazardous substances were discovered during the project. Of particular interest are County Attorney David Melasky’s handwritten notes concerning the Brio Superfund site.
Approximately 37 legal documents (1988 – 1993) record the ongoing litigation including Harris County’s Amicus Curiae brief, depositions, and affidavits. Thirty-seven reports (1985 – 1990) document soil contamination at the Brio site, Records of Decision, and monitoring programs. Reports also include a State of California hearing from 1977 on the effects of airborne vinyl chloride. Speechs of politicians and the Southbend Homeowner’s Association comment on the toxic waste site. Both full issues of the South Belt – Ellington Leader (1988 and 1989) and newspaper clippings (1985 – 1990) record the community concern over the cleanup of the Superfund site and related issues.
Of particular interest are a series of black and white aerial photographs taken in 1971 of the Brio site and the Southbend Subdivision. An undated video tape, compiled by community activist Marie Flickinger, presents the case of the plaintiffs and highlights the community’s frustration with the Environmental Protection Agency and the slow pace of the legal system.
Archivist’s Note:
This collection appeared to be in no particular order in its original boxes. All labeled folders were preserved under their original folder name and all of the contents of those labeled folders were preserved in their original order. Duplicates were discarded.
Page 2 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
Inventory
Series: Correspondence Range of Dates: 1971 - 1991
Title Date Location
John E. Wom to Harris County District Attorney 1971, 08/29 1495-X-01 regarding pollution at the Phoenix Chemical Company [Brio] with photographs Letters 1988 1988, 01/25 – 1988, 05/02 1495-X-02
Letters 1989 [1 of 2] 1989, 04/27 – 1989, 10/26 1495-X-03
Letters 1989 [2 of 2] 1989, 10/26 – 1989, 12/29 1495-X-04
Letters 1990 1990, 01/04 – 1990, 12/17 1495-X-05
Letters 1991 1991, 01/08 – 1991, 04/15 1495-X-06
Letters 1992 1992, 05/05 – 1992, 05/08 1495-X-07
Memorandums 1987, 01/20 – 1991, 01/10 1495-X-08
Records of Telephone Calls 1988, 06/17 – 1989, 04/05 1495-X-09
Departmental Communications 1989, 08/01 1495-X-10
Faxes: Department of the Army to Harris County Flood 1990, 03/23 1495-X-11 Control Faxes [1 of 2] 1989, 05/31 – 1990, 05/22 1495-X-12
Faxes [2 of 2] 1990, 11/20 – 1991, 02/01 1495-X-13
Page 3 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
Series: Working Papers Range of Dates: 1972 – 1994
Title Date Location
Operation Death Valley Sweep! [faxes, articles, notes, 1972, 03 – 1990, 10 1495-X-14 press releases, correspondence, reports] David Melasky - Brio 1988, 04/05 1495-X-15
David Melasky - Brio 1988, 03/26 – 1989, 08/25 1495-X-16
Author Unknown - Brio n.d. 1495-X-17
David Melasky - cooperation agreement between Harris 1990, 03/1 1495-X-18 County Flood Control District and the Department of the Army for a project on Sims Bayou Author unknown - issues surrounding Brio site with n.d. 1495-X-19 supporting documents PIM) Harris County/EPA vs. Brio Toxic Waste Site 1991 - 1993 1495-X-20 P.R.P.s [Legal orders, legal motions, memorandums, correspondence] Brio 1994 [memorandums, legal notes, meeting 1994, 04 - 05 1495-X-21 agendas, faxes, legal opinions, notes] Brio Spring 1994 [notes, legal opinions, 1994, 03 – 1994, 04 1495-X-22 correspondence] Research [faxes, photocopies [with notes], computer ca. 1991 1495-X-23 printouts, notes] [1 of 2] Research [faxes, photocopies [with notes], computer ca. 1991 1495-X-24 printouts, notes] [2 of 2]
Series: Agendas Range of Dates: n.d.
Title Date Location Agendas: Agenda of the Brio Task Force n.d. 1495-X-25
Page 4 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
Series: Legal Range of Dates: 1972 - 1993
Title Date Location
Resume / CV of Dr. Joel Hirschhorn, Ph. D. Executive n.d. 1495-X-26 Vice President of Technology and Planning for Envirosearch, Inc. Petition regarding Brio site clean up by E.P.A. n.d. 1495-X-27
Environmental Protection Agency Public Meeting 1988, 02/09 1495-X-28 Transcript Declaration for the Record of Decision 1988, 03/31 1495-X-29
U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co. Brio Site Consent Decree 1988, 10 – 1989, 01 1496-X-01 [1 of 3] U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co. Brio Site Consent Decree 1988, 10 – 1989, 01 1496-X-02 [2 of 3] U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co. Brio Site Consent Decree 1988, 10 – 1989, 01 1496-X-03 [3 of 3] U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Complaint [1 of 6] 1988, 10 – 1989, 04 1496-X-04
U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Complaint [2 of 6; 1988, 10 – 1989, 04 1496-X-05 Attachment A] U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Complaint [3 of 6; 1988, 10 – 1989, 04 1496-X-06 Attachment B] U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Complaint [4 of 6; 1988, 10 – 1989, 04 1496-X-07 Attachment C] U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Complaint [5 of 6; 1988, 10 – 1989, 04 1496-X-08 Attachment C] U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Complaint [6 of 6; 1988, 10 – 1989, 04 1496-X-09 Attachment C] U.S. vs. The B. F. Goodrich Co. and the BOC Group, 1989 1496-X-10 Inc. Deposition of Philip B. Beient, Vol. II [with notes and 1989, 04/20 1496-X-11 map of Brio site]
Page 5 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
Title Date Location
Affidavit of Terry Pat White 1989, 05 1496-X-12
James Staughter, et al vs. Farm Home Savings 1989, 10/11 1496-X-13 Association, et al Agreed Protective Order Southbend Municipal Utility District’s public comment 1989, 10/30 1496-X-14 to consent decree in U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co. [1 of 2] Southbend Municipal Utility District’s public comment 1989, 10/30 1496-X-15 to consent decree in U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co. [2 of 2] Order authorizing the County Attorney to participate in ca. 1990 1496-X-16 litigation pertaining to the Brio Superfund Site Southbend Municipal Utility District’s comments on 1990, 01/08 1496-X-17 consent decree in U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al. U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Certificate of 1990, 11/29 1496-X-18 documents comprising the official record Resolutions of the Harris County Commissioners Court 1990, 12/11 1496-X-19 opposing consent decree and authorizing the County Attorney to file an Amicus Curiae brief [unsigned; one copy with highlighting] U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al application for 1991, 01 1496-X-20 leave to appear as amicus curiae and to file brief of opposing entry of consent decree U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Amicus Curiae brief 1991, 01 1496-X-21 of Harris County opposing entry of agreed consent decree and requesting the appointment of a special master U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Southbend 1991, 01 1496-X-22 Municipal Utility District No. 13, and Homes, Lives, and Environment in Peril’s (H.E.L.P.) brief in support of motion for leave to intervene and complaint in Intervention [with notes] U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Notice of Intent to 1991, 01/04 1496-X-23 File Amicus Curiae Brief U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Defendant’s 1991, 01/04 1496-X-24
Page 6 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
Title Date Location opposition to applicants’ motion for leave to intervene
U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Response to 1991, 01/04 1496-X-25 defendant’s motion for expedited hearing U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Order denying 1991, 01/05 1496-X-26 Applicant’s motion to Intervene and Appear as Amicus Plaintiff’s supplemental memorandum in opposition to motion to intervene, and in opposition to application of Amicus Curiae. U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al. Memorandum of 1991, 01/06 1496-X-27 the United States of America in opposition to motion to intervene and file complaint. U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Motion for leave to 1991, 01/07 1496-X-28 intervene, intervenor’s motion for leave to file a brief exceeding page limits, brief in support of motion for leave to intervene and complaint in intervention, motion for continuance U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Order denying 1991, 01/10 1496-X-29 motions by Southbend Municipal Utility District, et al U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Applicants’ 1991, 01/15-16 1496-X-30 response to Harris County’s motion for continuance for appointment of a master, reply by applicants in intervention to defendants’ opposition to applicants’ motion for leave to intervene U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Amended Amicus 1991, 01/16 1496-X-31 Curiae brief of Harris County opposing entry of agreed consent decree and requesting appointment of a special master U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Supplement to the 1991, 02/01 1497-X-01 amended [Harris County] Amicus Curiae brief U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Applicants’ 1991, 02/04 1497-X-02 [Southbend Municipal Utility District, et al] supplemental response to Harris County’s motion for appointment of a special master U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al supplemental brief 1991, 02/12 1497-X-03 in support of applicants’ motion for leave to intervene
Page 7 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
Title Date Location
U.S. vs. Amoco Chemical Co., et al Defendant’s 1991, 02/22 1497-X-04 response to H. E. L. P., MUDs [Municipal Utility District] and Harris County’s supplemental briefs Southbend Municipal Utility District, et al vs. U.S., et al 1991, 06/26 1497-X-05 Appeal from the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas brief of Appellants Southbend Municipal Utility District, et al vs. Amoco 1991, 08/05 1497-X-06 Chemical Company, et al Brief for the Federal Appellee [highlighted] Brio Summit Meeting [1 of 2] 1993, 03/16 1497-X-07
Brio Summit Meeting [2 of 2] 1993, 03/16 1497-X-08
Series: Reports Range of Dates: 1977 - 1990
Title Date Location
State of California Air Resources Board public hearing 1977, 12/23 1497-X-09 to review and consider data on the effects of airborne vinyl chloride Harris County Pollution Control Department soil 1985, 01/29 1497-X-10 sample report Brio refining site: Component I-Existing database 1985, 06 1497-X-11 report Sampling at Brio Refinery, Friendswood, Texas 1985, 08 1497-X-12
Brio Technical Committee meeting and site evaluation 1986, 01/07 1497-X-13 of Beamer Towers Property [dated July 16, 1987] Supplemental remedial investigation Brio/DOP sites, 1987, 03 1497-X-14 Friendswood, Texas, volume 1 of 8 Lab reports on samples taken from Brio site 1987, 04 1497-X-15 [attachments to missing documents]
Page 8 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
Title Date Location
Feasibility study – Brio Refining Inc. and Dixie Oil 1988, 01 1497-X-16 Processing site, Friendswood, Texas [1 of 2] Feasibility study – Brio Refining Inc. and Dixie Oil 1988, 01 1497-X-17 Processing site, Friendswood, Texas [2 of 2] Technical Review Remedial Investigation/Feasibility 1988, 02/29 1497-X-18 study Brio Refining, Inc. Site, Harris County, Texas Brio Refining: Record of Decision 1988, 03/31 1497-X-19
Dixie Oil Processors: Record of Decision 1988, 03/31 1497-X-20
Summary of remedial alternative selection Brio 1988, 03/31 1497-X-21 Refining site, Southeast Harris County, Texas Harris County Pollution Control Department Dixie Oil 1989, 06/12 1497-X-22 Processors tar sample report Brio Site Task Force air monitoring program plan 1989, 09/06 1497-X-23 [section 2 only] Summary of the situation at the Brio Refining Site [Jan. 1990, 01 – 1990, 02 1497-X-24 1990] and Supplement [Feb. 1990] The Scientist’s/Engineer’s Role as a Special Master in 1990, 10/18-19 1497-X-25 Complex Environmental Litigation Constituent analysis, pits I - R n.d. 1497-X-26
Series: Creative Works Range of Dates: 1985 - 1990
Title Date Location
Comments and concerns of the Southbend ca. 1985, 04 1497-X-27 Homeowners’ association on the EPA’s proposed plan of action for the cleanup of the Brio and DOP [Dixie Oil Processors] Sites [author unknown] Statement of Harris County Commissioner El Franco ca. 1990 1497-X-28 Lee [Pct. 1] concerning the Brio toxic waste site.
Page 9 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
Title Date Location
Statement of Mayor Paul W. Schrader of Friendswood, 1990, 02/01 1497-X-29 Texas, concerning the Brio / DOP [Dixie Oil Processors] Superfund site remediation.
Series: Printed Material Subseries: Newspapers and Newspaper Clippings Range of Dates: 1985 - 1990
Title Date Location South Belt – Ellington Leader March 24, 1988 1988, 03/24 0008-V-05 South Belt – Ellington Leader April 6, 1989 1989, 04/06 0008-V-06 Newspaper clippings [Photocopies and originals] 1985, 04/03 – 1990, 10/23 1497-X-30
Series: Printed Material Subseries: Publications Range of Dates: 1985 - 1990
Title Date Location
EPA Environmental News 1985, 05/16 1497-X-31
EPA Environmental News ca. 1988, 03 1497-X-32
Superfund Project Update Dixie Oil Processors, Harris 1988, 01 1497-X-33 County, Texas Superfund Project Update Brio Refining and Dixie Oil 1989, 04 1497-X-34 Processors EPA Region 6 Superfund Fact Sheet Brio Fact Sheet 1989, 08/31 1497-X-35
Brio Site Task Force Public Information 1990, 06 1497-X-36
Page 10 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)
Series: Printed Materials Subseries: Transcripts Range of Dates: ca. 1989
Title Date Location Transcripts: Transcript of Marie Flickinger Interview ca. 1989, 05/15 1497-X-37 with Sam Becker, Lou Barinka, and Roger Mecham [EPA officials]
Series: Audio Visual Media Subseries: Photographs and Photonegatives Range of Dates: 1971
Title Date Location
Photographs: Aerial Photographs taken by Bob Douglas 1971, 10/22 0037-P-02 of the Brio site and Southbend Subdivision taken on October 22, 1971, between 4 – 5 PM Photonegatives of Aerial Photographs taken by Bob 1971, 10/22 0037-P-03 Douglas of the Brio site and Southbend Subdivision taken on October 22, 1971, between 4 – 5 PM
Series: Audio Visual Media Subseries: VHS Range of Dates: n.d.
Title Date Location Video complied by Marie Flickinger concerning the Brio n.d. 0007-Z-01 Superfund Site in Harris County, Texas. VHS 399
Page 11 of 11 BRIO SUPERFUND SITE CASE FILES Dates (1971 – 1994, Bulk 1988 – 1991)